Where Is the Planet

Attention is turning to COP31, the upcoming UN climate summit to be hosted in Türkiye, with a widespread call that 'it is time to change our planet.' The message is drawing millions of engagements globally, reflecting public pressure on world leaders ahead of the talks. Commenters are framing the summit as a decisive moment for stronger climate action and emissions commitments.

British composer George Fenton has died at the age of 76. He was known for scores to films including The Fisher King, Groundhog Day and Dangerous Liaisons, and for landmark natural history series such as Planet Earth and Blue Planet. Fenton was one of Britain's most respected film and television composers, with a career spanning decades and numerous award nominations.

Venus (Shukra) is set to go retrograde in Libra on Sunday night, according to Indian astrology coverage. Reports note the planet's position will shift several times until 23 November, with horoscope forecasts for all 12 zodiac signs. Some outlets claim the retrograde phase will favour certain signs for 42 days, fulfilling wishes and big ambitions.

Spanish media report that astronomers have found evidence of a planet that appears to have formed after its host star died, built from material the star expelled during its death. Outlets including MARCA, ABC and El Debate describe it as a 'second-generation' or 'phoenix planet', a world that rose from the ashes of its dead star. If confirmed, it would be an unusual case of planetary formation around a stellar remnant.

Scientists are expressing concern about a potential El Niño event in 2026, warning the climate pattern could bring extreme weather worldwide, including heatwaves, droughts, floods and disrupted monsoons. The BBC's Global Story examines what researchers know so far, why the timing matters, and how a warming planet may intensify El Niño's effects on food supplies, economies and vulnerable communities across the globe.

A solar flare has sent two large clouds of plasma moving toward Earth, according to reports citing Fontanka.ru. The coronal mass ejections are expected to reach the planet in the coming days, potentially triggering geomagnetic storms that can disturb satellite operations, radio communications and power grids, and produce stronger auroras at high latitudes.

Planet Fitness has acquired the Body Xchange Health Club locations in Bakersfield, California, bringing the local gyms under the national fitness chain's brand. The move means Body Xchange members in the area will see their clubs converted to Planet Fitness operations. Details on membership terms and how the transition will affect staff have not yet been announced.

A widely viewed science explainer is claiming that something unusual is currently happening on Mars, though no specific discovery is detailed beyond the headline claim. The piece has drawn millions of likes, suggesting strong public interest in Martian anomalies and space exploration news. Without further specifics, it is unclear what exact phenomenon or finding the claim refers to.

Astronomers report a possible planet in the habitable zone of a star roughly 2,000 degrees hotter than our Sun, a rare find given such stars' intense radiation. If confirmed, it would show planets can survive around very hot stars, prompting discussion about how habitable zones work around extreme hosts.

Saturn reached opposition on Sunday, October 4, meaning the planet is directly opposite the Sun from Earth's perspective. Astronomers note this is when Saturn appears brightest and largest in telescopes, remaining visible all night. Skywatchers are being encouraged to look for the ringed planet, which rises at sunset and stays up until dawn during opposition.

Sky watchers are looking ahead to October 2026's night sky events, led by Saturn reaching opposition on the night of October 3–4, when the planet is closest and brightest and its rings are shown at their best. The date is drawing attention from astronomy enthusiasts planning observations of the ringed planet.

Bloomsbury has published 'Going Going Gone', a book profiling 100 animals and plants at risk of extinction. It notes that humans share the planet with an estimated eight to ten million species, most still undescribed, with only about two million documented so far. Readers are discussing the scale of the biodiversity crisis the book draws attention to.

NASA's science blog has published a new piece asking whether a journey to the depths of ancient Mars is possible, inviting readers to consider what lies beneath the planet's surface and what it could reveal about Mars's early history. The post is being shared among space enthusiasts, who are discussing the planet's interior and the questions it still holds.

Astrology watchers are marking October 5 as the date Venus goes retrograde, a period astrologers say brings conflict, impulsiveness and change. Publications like Vanity Fair are running sign-by-sign guides on what each zodiac sign can expect from the planet's apparent backward motion and its supposed effects on relationships and decisions.

Astronomers have identified a planet that survived the death of its host star, orbiting a white dwarf — the burnt-out remnant left after a star exhausted its fuel. Dubbed a 'Phoenix planet' for rising from the stellar ashes, the finding suggests planets can endure a star's violent end, prompting discussion about what this means for the long-term fate of our own solar system.

The SETI Institute is explaining how astronomers can tell whether a star has consumed its own planets. Lithium naturally disappears inside stars over time, making it unreliable as evidence, but beryllium lasts far longer. Its presence can therefore indicate that rocky worlds were swallowed, offering a new chemical clue in stellar detective work.

A solar eruption has raised concerns that a solar storm could reach Earth around October 2. Brazilian outlets report the event may affect satellite communications, GPS signals and power grids, and could produce auroras visible at lower latitudes than usual. Space weather agencies are monitoring the eruption's trajectory to determine how strong the impact on the planet will be.

A new article asks which species holds the most biomass on Earth. By mass, the answer is generally considered to be plants, which vastly outweigh all animals combined, followed by bacteria and fungi. The question is drawing attention as readers compare humanity's relatively small share of global biomass with its outsized impact on the planet.

Planet Fitness has acquired Body Xchange, and the Body Xchange locations in Bakersfield, California are closing as a result. The acquisition means local gym members will lose access to their current facilities, with Planet Fitness expected to take over the brand's operations. Local residents are reacting to the sudden loss of a long-standing fitness option in the area.

Astronomers have for the first time detected a radio signal coming from a planet outside our solar system. The detection, reported in Belgian and Dutch media, is being discussed as a potential breakthrough in the search for and study of exoplanets, offering a new way to observe worlds far beyond our own.

Stargazers are looking to the October night sky, with attention on the month's meteor shower alongside other astronomical events. Sky & Telescope is highlighting Saturn at opposition the night of October 3–4, when the planet's rings are at their brightest, adding to a busy period for skywatchers this October.